REEM hockey gets ready for the stretch run to secure tourney spot

Tide will celebrate Senior Night against St. Joseph’s Prep Wednesday night

  The Everett High School boys’ co-op hockey team (3-5 in the Greater Boston League, 7-7 overall) needs just three more wins in its last six games to secure a Division 3 state tournament berth.

  “We definitely have some winnable games left on the regular season schedule, but we probably have to steal one, as well,” said Coach Craig Richards before the start of Wednesday night’s game at Bedford.

  The Crimson Tide defeated host Lowell last Wednesday, Feb. 1, 3-1, but then the Medford hex continued three days later in Everett. It was all tied up at four early on in the third period, but the Mustangs then took advantage of a five-minute penalty to light the lamp twice to regain the lead for good. They went on to win the contest, 9-4. The Mustangs won all three games against their Everett rivals this year, and led after two in last week’s encounter, 4-3, before the home team temporarily tied it up.

  Austin Annunziata paced the offensive attack against Lowell with two goals. Michael Brandano and Lukas Deguire assisted on both of his scores. Brandano notched the insurance tally from Cam Couto and Annunziata.

  Goalie Ben Rosa was credited with 15 saves against Lowell, while his teammates pummeled opposing netminder Aidan Lavoie with 40 shots.

  But then came Medford, their nemesis, at home last Saturday night. It was all tied up at one after one period, but the Mustangs forged ahead by one after two, 4-3. But the Tide didn’t give up after scoring the equalizer early on in the final stanza, before the game finally got away from them.

  Senior Chris Cecca netted an unassisted goal to ignite the offense. Matt Lacroix followed with a goal from Jake Simpson and David Saia. The offensive line produced two more goals together: Brandano and Deguire picked up the helpers on Annunziata’s tally, and Annunziata returned the favor on Brandano’s marker that was also setup by Deguire. Rosa played 2 ½ periods in goal before Aaron Al-Marayati took over those chores.

  After traveling to Bedford for the aforementioned Wednesday night non-league encounter against the Buccaneers, both teams will go up against each other once again three nights later in Everett, starting at 6 p.m. The Tide will then celebrate Senior Night before the start of the non-league game against Saint Joseph Prep on Wednesday, Feb. 15, at 7 p.m.